Future of the European Union in 2030
Team Composition
Introduction
Research Questions
EU & Europe Definitions - Mauricio
- What is the definition of Europe?
- What countries are part of the European Union?
- What is the history of the European Union?
- What are the candidate countries that want to be part of the European Union?
- What is the euro zone?
Politics - GK
- How is the European Union Governed?
- What are the main bodies of the EU?
- How is the European parliament elected?
- How is the European parliament structured?
- How do the countries work together?
- How does the EU take decisions?
- How does the EU tick?
- How is the EU budget managed?
- Are there any planned budget policy changes?
- What is the main driver for the EU expansion?
- Will the expansion of the EU now come to a halt?
- Is public opinion in the EU in favour of more enlargement?
- What are the main issues in Europe (other than financial)?
Policy - GK
- What are the Agriculture policies of the EU? - check if you agree GK
- What are the Energy policies of the EU? - same here, M
- What are the Infrastructure policies of the EU?
- What are the Regional policies of the EU?
- What are the Environment policies of the EU? - same here
- What are the Educational policies of the EU?
- What are the foreign policies of the EU?
Environment - Sri Hari
Economics - Sameer
- What is the GDP and Growth Rate of the EU?
- How is monetary policy governed within the EU?
- What can cause the instability of the Euro?
- What are trade statistics for the EU?
- What is the energy profile of the EU?
Society - Arthur
- Does European Union really bond its members together?
- How do European inhabitants feel about EU?
- What are the immigration trends to EU for EU and Non-EU citizens?
- What present of EU states are satisfied with being a member state?
- How "European" are EU citizens and do they share a common identity?
Terrorism - Mauricio
- What has been the impact of terrorism on the EU?
- How the recent rebirth of radical nationalist movements influences the EU?
- European countries are fighting against terrorism but, what about separatist groups like IRA and ETA?
Demographics - Sameer
- What is the population of the EU and how is it distributed?
- What are the main religions practiced in the EU?
- What are the main languages spoken in the EU?
- What are other key demographic statistics for the EU?
- What is the level of immigration and emigration?
- What are the main issues with changing religion makeup of Europe?
Geopolitics - Sri Hari
- Do non EU countries prefer to deal with EU or to deal directly with individual members?
- Enlargement of EU?
- The future of European Union: Managing Globalization
- What is the EU's outlook towards full membership of the Balkans and Turkey?
- Would EU disintegrate like the USSR?
- Can EU form a larger economic block with Russia, India and China?
- In case that the EU will form a large economic block, what USA would do?
- If Iceland will be the 29th member state, will it cause any friction between the EU and other application states?
- How will EU and China relationship develop?
- How will EU and India relationship develop?
- How will EU and US relationship develop?
- How will EU and North Africa relationship develop?
- What role does Africa play for Europe?
- What if Primakov's triangle becomes a reality?
- Would Russia with its huge gas reserves would like to play a pivotal role in Europe?
- How does the world (US, BRICS,etc.,) perceive the EU? Would they want a strong EU?
Infrastructure - Arthur
- Does the EU need to focus on new infrastructure approaches?
Systems Diagram
Driving Forces
Political Driving Forces - GK & Maurizio
- Political Stability in Europe
- Institutional & Bureaucratic Dynamics
- To be a world power house
- Economic Success
- Turkey Joining the EU < OLD
- Movement Towards World Unification < OLD
Technological Driving Forces - GK & Maurizio
Environmental Driving Forces - Sri
- Greenhouse gases emissions trading affecting production in the EU
- Scarcity of Water in the EU
- Increasing need to clean energy
- Interests of lesser developed member states and the cost of subsidizing their practices
- Pressure from developing countries
- Effects of climate change
Economic Driving Forces - Sameer
- EU as a counterweight to America
- Europe's Gas Dependency
- Energy Scarcity in Europe
- The increasing globalization of markets
Societal Driving Forces - Arthur
- EU view of itself – culturally diverse or seeking homogeneity – with the associated political implications
- Increasing Mobility
- Aging population
- Changes in Religion buildup of Europe
- Aging Europe
- Availability of skilled & non-skilled labour
Scenarios
References
Scenario Reports
- NIC Europe 2020 - Scenarios - Workshop Date: April 28-29, 2004 - Venue: Budapest, Hungary
- New Technology Wave – Scenarios for Europe in 2020 (pdf)
- European Energy to 2020 - A scenario approach (pdf)
- Water Scenarios for Europe and for Neighbouring States
- Trends and drivers of change in the EU transport and logistics sector: Scenarios (pdf)
- Scenarios on the territorial future of Europe to 2030
- Could we image another future for Europe? (very good resource)
Economic Reports & Statistics
- Statistics and figures for all countries of the European Union
- Europe Interactive Map - Can compare different EU region
Presentations
Research Papers and Books
- Anderson, M. (2000) States and nationalism in Europe. London
- Bauman, Z., 1989, Modernity and the Holocaust. Cambridge: Polity Press.
- Bauman, Z., 1993, Postmodern Ethics. Oxford: Blackwell.
- Bauman, Z., 1991. Modernity and Ambivalence. Cambridge: Polity Press.
- Bauman., Z., 1995. Life in Fragments: Essays in Postmodern Morality. Oxford: Blackwell.
- Bauman/Europe: An Unfinished Adventure. Final Proof 18/08/2004
- Drake, G. (1994) Issues in the new Europe. London
- Foucher, M. (1995) The new faces of Europe. Strasbourg
- Hermet, G. (1998) A history of nations and nationalism in Europe. London
- Lichtenberger, H. (2000) Studying Europe: challenges and prospects for European studies. Baden-Baden
- Marsden, W.E and V.M. (1989) Going into Europe. Edinburgh
- Morin, E. (1991) Europa denken. Frankfurt
- Morris, J. (1998) Fifty years of Europe. London
News & Other Sources
- Trends and drivers of change in the EU energy sector: Scenarios
- Economic Problems of European Union
- Immigration Problems in EU
- Immigration in the European Union: problem or solution?
- Q&A: EU enlargement
- About the European Union on Wikipedia
Interviews
Summary
Interview Questions
- What are the main political issues currently facing the European Union
- What are the main political forces in the European Union
- What will happen if Turkey is accepted as part of the EU?
- Will the EU change its environmental focus in the next 20 years?
Meeting Agenda
- September 9, 2009 - 17:00 to 18:30
- September 14, 2009 - 14:00 to 15:00 - Research Questions Review
- September 17, 2009 - 16:30 to 18:00 - Driving Forces Rearview